SpaceX Falcon 9 launch overcame an engine failure

When watching the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch on Sunday there was no mention of any problems during the rockets ascent into orbit, but it was later revealed that the first stage suffered an engine failure in one of the 9 merlin engines lifting the rocket into space.

The engine failure occurred one minute 19 seconds into the flight, almost half way through the burn of the first stage. This turned out not to be an issue as the Falcon 9 has been designed to achieve orbit on just 7 of the 9 engines. The Dragon capsule was inserted into orbit at the precise position that was planned, enabling it to chase down the International Space Station for the docking that took place today.

This was the second time in two launches that there has been an engine failure. The Delta IV with the GPS IIF-3 satellite had a partial engine failure just 3 days before the SpaceX Falcon launch. Fortunately neither problem was terminal and both missions were successful.

Continue reading for the official announcement from SpaceX

SpaceX CRS-1 Mission Update: October 8, 2012

The Dragon spacecraft is on its way to the International Space Station this morning and is performing nominally following the launch of the SpaceX CRS-1 official cargo resupply mission from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 8:35PM ET Sunday, October 7, 2012.

Approximately one minute and 19 seconds into last night’s launch, the Falcon 9 rocket detected an anomaly on one first stage engine. Initial data suggests that one of the rocket’s nine Merlin engines, Engine 1, lost pressure suddenly and an engine shutdown command was issued immediately. We know the engine did not explode, because we continued to receive data from it. Our review indicates that the fairing that protects the engine from aerodynamic loads ruptured due to the engine pressure release, and that none of Falcon 9’s other eight engines were impacted by this event.

As designed, the flight computer then recomputed a new ascent profile in real time to ensure Dragon’s entry into orbit for subsequent rendezvous and berthing with the ISS. This was achieved, and there was no effect on Dragon or the cargo resupply mission.

Falcon 9 did exactly what it was designed to do. Like the Saturn V, which experienced engine loss on two flights, Falcon 9 is designed to handle an engine out situation and still complete its mission.

We will continue to review all flight data in order to understand the cause of the anomaly, and will devote the resources necessary to identify the problem and apply those lessons to future flights. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Dragon is expected to begin its approach to the station on October 10, where it will be grappled and berthed by Akihiko Hoshide of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and Expedition 33 Commander Sunita Williams of NASA. Over the following weeks, the crew will unload Dragon’s payload and reload it with cargo to be returned to Earth. Splashdown is targeted for October 28.